The reality for many people is that they must go to work, take their children to school and other activities, and perform other daily activities without sufficient sleep. Unfortunately, this often includes driving when drowsy—something that many people do on a daily basis without even thinking about it. However, drowsy driving is as dangerous as driving when intoxicated and results in many tragic accidents. Here, we share tips on how to recognize a fatigued driver so that you can avoid an accident and keep your family and you safe.

Ways to Identify a Drowsy Driver

To recognize drowsy drivers, you need to know the warning signs to watch out for. The same warning signs can also help you see if you are too tired to drive or if the driver of the vehicle that you are a passenger in should not be driving. Signs to watch for include:

Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, and heavy eyelids

Yawning or rubbing the eyes frequently

Drifting out of a lane

Excessive hitting of rumble strips

Tailgating

Missing an exit

Having difficulty keeping one’s head up

Nodding off to sleep

How NOT to Be a Drowsy Driver

You do not want to endanger your family, other motorists, or yourself in a drowsy driving accident. These guidelines can help you avoid being a danger on the road:

Never drive when you are too drowsy to do so.

If you are going on a driving trip, be certain to get enough sleep the night before.

Avoid consuming alcohol or drugs before driving. Not only is it dangerous, but it can also make you sleepier.

Don’t drive if you are taking medications that will make you drowsy.

Take a passenger with you when possible to share the driving, keep you alert, and let you know if you are showing the signs of drowsy driving.

Pull over and take a short nap if you feel tired.

Schedule breaks in your trip to get out of your vehicle.

Taking these safety steps will not guarantee that you will not be the victim of a drowsy driving accident, but it can reduce the likelihood that this will happen. If you are injured in one of these crashes, the drowsy driver could be responsible for compensating you for your injuries. Fill out our online form today to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our experienced car accident attorneys to discuss your legal options and the types of compensation that you may be able to recover.